Page 103 of Snap Shot

My lips part in surprise and awe, but the pad of her thumb urges me to widen. She tilts my head back by tipping my chin.

Hovering over me, Indi spits, releasing the rich, astringent wine onto my tongue and coating the back of my throat. It goes down warm, a reminder of the heated temperature of her mouth, leaving me breathless and horribly, impossibly hard. This girl's the hottest fucking thing I've ever experienced. I kick myself for reading about this and not remembering. I won't forget next time.

I tremble as she wipes away a rogue drop of wine with the same thumb, then brings it to her stained mouth to suck it dry.

Teeth clacking as my jaw clenches, I keep our faces slotted together, tempted to crash our mouths together. “I wish I'd never agreed to not kissing you.”

“Why?”

“Because it's literally all I can fucking think about.” Having pieces of Indi will never be enough. I want all of her. Every smile, every laugh, every kiss, every gasp, every moan, every scream. I want it all to be mine. Her to be mine in every possible way.

She rumbles out a hum. “Too bad. You failed the test.”

We battle for control, hands on each other's necks. Mine, holding her to me, and hers, keeping us apart.

“I fuckinghatewhen you tease me.” Silence fills the next few seconds as her eyes dart between mine, dark pupils growing to replace the rich browns of her eyes.

“Prove it.” It's a sultry challenge. “Show me how much you hate it.”

A humorless laugh escapes from low in my chest. I press my forehead into hers, gritting my frustration through my teeth. “Take your clothes off before I fuckingripthem off.”

Her stomach growls in protest, breaking the tension. Indi clamps her eyes shut, cheeks going pink with embarrassment.

I rub a palm over her belly. “You hungry?”

“I guess so.” She frowns. “Sorry.”

“Don't be.”

“Areyouhungry?”

I return a wicked smile. “I'mstarving, baby.”

Indi predictably rolls her eyes. “No, like, do you want to eat?”

My head nods to a rhythmic beat. “I'm telling you; I candefinitelyeat. Right here. On this kitchen island. I can eat all night long.”

“Landon.” She squirms against the counter, knocking her knees into my sides.

“Okay, okay.” I make it sound like I'm giving in, but who am I kidding?I'll put up with anything she throws at me. My hands caress her back in large, swirling half-circles. “I'll feed you and then I'lleat.”

Indi ignores the suggestive tone. “Can we order Indian?” She pouts, pleading. “I haven't had it in a while.”

“You can have anything you want.”

She gifts me the widest thankful smile. I couldn't ask for anything more. Except for maybe a kiss.

Forty minutes later, Indi teaches me how to tear chapati into pieces and use them to scoop up the spiced okra we ordered. “Bhindi masala from India House is the closest thing to my mom's bhinda nu shaak.” Her knees sway off the edge of the couch. “One of these days” —she wags her index finger at me— “I'll have her teach me.”

It's in these brief seconds that I get to see the real Indi. Passionate, sweet, open. These moments with her,fuck. My heart spills over and I wanna ask if she feels it, too. Someday, I'll grow the courage to do that without the fear of losing her. Until then, I'll cherish and collect these memories in the greedy pocket of my heart.

Chapter 28: Playing Defense

Indi

My fingers lay against the edge of the table, a sneaky answer to the question abruptly interrupted by the peppy waitress refilling our waters. Gabe and Bea stop their gaping and rapid blinking as the glasses bubble to the brim. I shoot a polite smile at our server.

The gaping resumes when she leaves, but there's no more blinking. “Fourtimes?” Bea huffs. “In one night?”

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